By Amy Roth Jim Peterik of Ides of March and Survivor bands’ fame was in Aurora July 7 to shoot a music video of a new song that was “inspired by nostalgia,” he said. “Carry Me Back” was co-written by Ides of March member Larry Millas and is performed by
Looking for something your kids can do this Summer? Make time at home more creative with these new, week-long online camps. Perfect for kids to do with a parent or on their own. Register online at waterstreetstudios.com. • 3D Art Camp, begins Monday, July 13 Create amazing 3D projects using
By Melissa Mercado Hello The Venue friends! I am writing to spread the good news that we are entering Phase 4 of Restore Illinois and that means that The Venue in Aurora will be allowed to re-open its doors to patrons! That said, we plan to go slowly and systematically
Soothe into the sweet sounds of the Chris Green Quartet from the comfort of your home from 7p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Friday, June 26, presented by Water Street Studios. Cost is $12 per ticket and available at Eventbrite.com. “…a hearty tone and sharp wit…a proud descendant of such 1960s soul-jazz
The Venue, the 200-currently-empty-seat music performance space in Aurora, will deliver a Livestream performance by Steve Dawson & Diane Christiansen at 8 p.m. Monday, June 22. Direct donations can be made at themusicvenue.org. Direct donations can be made at themusicvenue.org. The event will be livestreamed from the Venue’s Facebook page
Aurora Public Art released the session listing of the third week of virtual youth programming for students who are sheltering in place amid COVID-19 cancellations. All sessions are free and open to the public. Summer programming includes sessions across many artistic media. Drawing, painting, music, dance, drama, and culinary arts
Water Street Studios in Bataviais thrilled to announce the selection of its next executive director. After a four-month search, the organization’s Board of Directors chose Taylor Egan to lead its organization. Mrs. Egan joins Water Street Studios with a background in the arts and a strong commitment to community building
Over a lifetime spent learning, writing, recording, and performing Anthony Padilla has developed a soulful approach and takes joy in the art of music. Anthony is a member of the funky psychedelic Funktional Family, where he lends his vocals and guitar to their unique sound. Padilla will have a livestream
By Al Benson Donnell Collins of Aurora has been on a mission. The Aurora professional photographer’s mission is to shoot outdoor portraits of individuals, or groups, from his van’s window, and post a photo daily on Facebook until stay-at-home orders are lifted. He calls the mission his Driveby Photo Shoot
The brilliant piano virtuoso Ludwig van Beethoven has provided the world with glorious music. One of his most beautiful piano pieces is Fur Elise, “Bagatelle in A minor” composed in 1810 for a lady love who rejected him. His “Moonlight Sonata” is another outstanding melody. Both I never tire of
The Naperville Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower is announcing special concerts and lighting to honor healthcare workers and first responders during the coronavirus pandemic this spring. Local carillonneurs will perform a series of concerts Wednesdays at noon for the month of May, in addition to the regularly scheduled concerts at
Water Street Studios’ Gallery curator, Steve Sherrell, will be host to a virtual get together at 6 p.m. Friday, May 8. Attendees can hang out online with Steve in his studio when he provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Water Street Studios displays 24 exhibitions every year. Afterwards, Steve will
The late Greg Zanis, 69, the Aurora carpenter known throughout the country as the man who traveled hundreds of thousands of miles carrying his handmade crosses to scenes of tragedy and loss, wrote a memoir late in his life. Entitled The Cross Man – Crosses For Losses, it traces his
As part of its COVID-19 Community Conversations Series, the city government of Aurora will be host to a discussion with Aurora Public Art and the COVID-19 PSA designers at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7. The conversation can be watched on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofAuroraIL. In the spirit of
Marilyn Huntman Giese, an Aurora author, added Nursery Rhymes Your Mother Never Taught You (Xlibris 2019) to a list of her diverse writings. The humorous book contains 24 parodies on familiar nursery rhymes, plus a little history of the genre and some conversations starters. The original versions of these rhymes
Caden Carnes, 14, of Lisle, shows recent paintings he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First Fridays will return to the virtual world May 1. Virtual attendees can stay at home and enjoy art, music, and more on Friday night. Visit Aurora Downtown and other participating venues on Facebook for live video throughout the evening. Viewers are invited to participate at home by tagging #virtualfirstfridays
Following a mandate by Illinois governor JB Pritzker, and State and local health officials, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora will cancel performances of The Secret of My Success as a cautionary measure to help combat the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Ticket-holders to the remaining performances of The Secret of My
Due to the rapidly evolving development in regard to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the newest recommendations set forth from local, state, and national health organizations, Water Street Studios in Batavia will be closed effective immediately through March 29. We are currently working on a plan to address this disruption in programming
Paramount Theatre will pull the curtain on another live theater venue, the remodeled Copley Theatre, where it will launch its new Bold Series, a four-show subscription ready to bring a new type of theater to downtown Aurora. Paramount’s new Bold Series will offer intimate, professional, live theater experiences that are
